Hughes flattered by Man Utd link

Stoke City manager Mark Hughes has distanced himself from rumours suggesting he could be in line to become the next Manchester United boss, but welcomed the praise.

The Welshman beat United 2-0 last month and has since been touted as a potential successor to Louis van Gaal by former United team-mates Robbie Savage and Paul Parker.

And Hughes believes that if he is being linked to the United job, it is because he is doing a good job at Stoke, who are just six points adrift of the fourth and final Champions League spot.

"There's a lot of speculation. That goes with the territory," he told a news conference.

"It's probably better to be talked up than talked down. I've had both, and I know which I prefer.

"It is what it is. It's speculation. Nothing more, nothing less."

Hughes next faces West Brom and former Stoke boss Tony Pulis on Saturday and, with his side sitting 10th in the Premier League table, he warned his players against complacency.

"It's something you have to guard against, but it's less of a worry for this group, to be perfectly honest," he said.

"I think everybody senses that they're really enjoying what they're doing at the moment. They're enjoying being part of it. They want more."